Improvement in brick-kilns



-F. STRAYER. Improvement in Brick-Kilns. No. 130,254. Patented Aug.6,1872.

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UNITED STATES FRANCIS STRAYER, OF CLINTON, IOWA.

IMPRQVEMENT IN BRICK-KILNS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 130,254, dated August6, 18752.

Specification describing a new and useful Improvement in Brick-Kilns,invented by l FRANcIs STRAYER, of Clinton, in the county of Clinton andState of Iowa.

The object of this invention is to economize fuel and lessen the amountof labor required in burning brick; and it consists in the con structionand arrangement of parts hereinafter described.

In the accompanying drawing, Figure 1 is a vertical section of abrick-kiln constructed according to my invention. Fig. 2 is a top orplan view.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

A represents the kiln, constructed of masonry, of square, rectangular,or other form, and of anyrequired size. In the drawing the mode ofpacking the brick in the kiln is shown. B represents the brick. Infilling the kiln I form a succession of arched apertures, O, in which Iplace the coal or fuel for burning the brick. These apertures or pocketsare distributed throughout the mass of brick, being made as the brickare packed in filling the kiln. The coal is introduced as the arches aremade, or through the sides of the kiln, as may be found most convenient.D represents apertures through the sides of the kiln, for observing thecondition of the kiln during the process of burning. These apertures areclosed with plugs E, which are removed for inspecting the kiln, as maybe required. To supply the requisite amount of oxygen for theconsumption of the fuel, I employ one or more bellows, F,

f and conduct the air therefrom into amain pipe,

G, through the smaller pipes H H, and from the main pipe to each side ofthe kiln through the pipes I I. These side pipes have branch pipes,which conduct the air into the kiln at the apertures J. K representsvalves in the main pipe G, .by which the blast of each bellows may beused separately and on opposite sides of the kiln, alternately, or thebellows may be used alternately.

I do not confine myself to any particular mode of applying the blast,nor to any particular kind of bellows. A fan-blower or blowing-cylindermay be used, as may be found advisable. The bricks are placed loosely inthe kiln, so that the heat can circulate freely through it, as inordinary brick-kilns.

The coal in the lower arches being ignited and subjected to a powerfulblast will ignite the fuel in the arches above. The blast will carry theheat and flame throughout the kiln, and the result will be the brickswill be uniformly and thoroughly burned, and with the consumption of farless fuel than is ordinarily used. rlhe labor and exposure to vheat towhich men are subjected by the old plan is, by my improvement, avoided.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desireto secureby Letters Patent- 1. Thefuel pockets or apertures O, arranged in abrick-kiln, substantially as shown and described.

2. The observation-holes D, in combination with the pockets O, as andfor the purposes described.

FRANCIS STRAYER.

Witnesses: l

E. P. EATON, J. MUNROE.

